Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company SOTC Travel are observing a significant trend where Indian travelers are increasingly aligning their holiday plans with regional festivals. Celebrations like Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, Navratri in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Eastern India, Mysore Dasara in Karnataka, Dussehra across North India, and Diwali are becoming key drivers for travel decisions. These festive periods are creating opportunities for extended breaks, allowing travelers to combine celebrations with spiritual journeys, cultural immersions, family holidays, and international getaways. This trend is visible across major Indian cities, with specific regions showing heightened travel activity corresponding to local festivals. For instance, travelers from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are utilizing Onam holidays, while Chennai and Coimbatore leverage Pongal breaks. Similarly, Mumbai and Pune see festive travel around Ganesh Chaturthi, and Ahmedabad and Vadodara align holidays with Navratri. Spiritual and cultural experiences remain highly appealing, with destinations like Vrindavan, Mathura, Kolkata, Varanasi, and Mysuru witnessing increased interest during their respective festive seasons. Travelers are increasingly opting to experience festivals at their cultural heart, integrating domestic travel into their celebrations. Beyond domestic travel, festive holidays are also serving as a catalyst for international travel. Travelers are increasingly undertaking short and mid-haul overseas holidays as an extension of their celebrations. While Europe remains a preferred choice for aspirational travelers, Southeast Asian destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia are seeing strong demand from families and first-time international travelers. Long-haul destinations such as Japan, China, Egypt, South Africa, and the UAE are also gaining traction for their unique cultural experiences. The company also notes a shift towards experience-led travel, where travelers prioritize meaningful activities over traditional sightseeing. Multi-generational travel is also on the rise, with families increasingly traveling together during festive periods to create memorable experiences. Destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bali, Japan, and Europe are popular choices for these family groups. Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, commented that festivals are strong drivers for holiday planning, influencing when and where people travel. He highlighted the demand across various regions and the trend of travelers exploring meaningful experiences. Mr. SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, added that festivals are becoming opportunities to celebrate in new places and create new traditions, with travelers seeking immersive and memorable experiences.
